America Wonder -The Beginning Part 2

When my uncle saw me eating four slices of bread and two eggs, he said I was avoiding excess luggage but came to eat excess food in his house. Like joke, my problems started.......This is continued from HERE

Uncle V is my mother's younger brother. He is ten years younger than my mother. He was an American citizen for 17years before he got married to Iheoma. Iheoma was a simple girl whose geographical and migrational growth was stunted,until she met V. Prior to meeting V, she had not travelled outside Nigeria.


I visited them in Newark when I was working in Nigeria as a single girl. I was in Atlanta when my uncle learnt I was in the US. He was not happy, so I cut short my enjoyment in Atlanta, to come visit them. Out of the foodstuffs I brought for my friend, I gave them a full bag. They were very happy and grateful. I also took them out.

 I enjoyed their hospitality and they enjoyed my visit. On my departure day, they wished I could stay back. My niece cried but I successfully wiped her tears with a $100 bill. I told my uncle I couldn't stay back due to work. Hell hath no fury like a man whose salary was being delayed.


Earlier on in my visit, my uncle introduced me to his friend, Manuel. Manuel and my uncle were fifty that year. Manuel was very rich, unmarried and crafty. I told my uncle that at 28, there was nothing attractive to me in a 50year old man. " Old wines are tasty" are for XO, VS and VSOP. Nothing tasty about caressing grey haired chest. Nothing tasty in diaper duties at 51. My uncle's wife told me that my uncle was older than her with 17years. She said what mattered was financial security and the mature way an old man loved. Akuko!



On this second missionary journey, I erroneously expected the same funfare. I forgot the book of Hezekiah 2 vs 5 that says," Blessed are they that do not expect much for they shall never be disappointed". 

My inability to buy ogiri, abacha and okporoko didn't go down well with V and Iheoma. She lamented that I bought too much Egusi and crayfish. When I suggested that she shared them with her Nigerian neighbors, she refused.


To avoid eating excess food again, I minimised eating at home. Once I finish the house chores, I retire to my room. This same uncle would say, "because you came empty handed does not mean you shouldn't eat. Go and eat. You're in your uncle's house". Oh Chim!


When my husband called to greet them, they still complained about my coming empty-handed. He asked me if the things we bought were seized at the airport. I told him no. Our only mistake was not shutting down Mile 12 market.

Due to their disturbance, my sister called her husband's younger sister who lived in Newark. The girl was unhappy that she was not told of my visit. Within an hour, she came to meet me. With her papers and connection, I started a job two days after as a Nurse Eliza (CNA).CNA means Certified Nursing Aide.

She gave me a little coaching. On the first day, the Nurse was strict and wanted to make sure everything was going to be alright.

Nurse: "Princess, I don't remember seeing you in my class during the briefing".

Me: "Oh, you were awesome. I was amazed by your intelligence and the free flow of knowledge. You are a born teacher. I can't wait to put all I learnt in practice".

Nurse:(smiling) "thank you. I think I like you".

Me: "You think? Maami, I like you already".

We laughed and chatted for a while. When she told me she was originally Italian, I talked about Italian food, Cicily and Mario Puzo with her. She was happy I knew a little about Italy.

She put me through again. The patient called for me. She watched me attend to the patient and was impressed.

My patient was an 83 year old Jewish woman who had dementia. She was very organized. If she told you to get a pin, she would tell you exactly where and you would find it there. Due to her dementia, she forgot easily. She also didn't hear well. When I screamed to make her hear me, she would say, "what is your name again, don't yell at me". Lol. If I no yell, how you go hear me? Sweet old lady! 

She took me to old people's parties. Her 90yr old friend told me, "Princess, I met this girl (my patient) 70 years ago". Another one would beg me not to grow old. That old people are useless and needy. I quickly replied that I must grow old. Methuselah go fear my age sef. These old women were power dressers. My patient once asked me during our outing, "Princess, would anyone know I am not wearing a bra"?

Me : "only those you tell"!

Patient: " You sweet thing".

I enjoyed working with her. Her children used to call and ask what I wanted, before they visited.

When my uncle and wife heard I got a job within a week, their attitude changed positively. My uncle was happy. The wife told me to be careful with the patient, because of CCTV, so I don't get into trouble. Eziokwu? Onyeoma CY.

One night, I went to use the restroom when I overheard Iheoma complaining to my uncle. She was not happy that I had come to stay in America, her father's inheritance from Columbus.

If Christopher Columbus that discovered America was happy with me, who was Iheoma? I have not finished admiring beautiful people, not to talk of people wey I fine pass........

Part 3 will be out same time on Tuesday and you will not believe how this turned out!!!